Walking in the City - New York's Christmas Lights 2021

 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is taking a trip into New York City to see the lights. There's always something new to see and this year even a short stroll along Fifth Avenue offered some fabulous decorations. 

Holiday sculptures made out of lights adorn the sidewalks between 47th and 60th Street. 

Saks of Fifth Avenue usually puts on the biggest show of all the stores and this year was no exception.

At regular intervals, the whole of the edifice lights up in a magnificent musical display lasting several minutes. 

 The attraction draws substantial crowds who wait patiently on the opposite side of the road for the show to begin, while others take in the sights of the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the parade of angels lining the route to the plaza. 

At street level, the Saks windows offer more delight. This year the windows were based on suggestions from NYC school children who were asked to share their dreams for the holiday. 

Dreaming of a sweet holiday at home

Dreaming of a holiday on the beach 

Dreaming of a holiday playland

Further down the road Dolce & Gabbana have opted for a window designed to make you feel hungry:

 A trio of trees made from lights is a recurring feature along 5th Avenue. They really are quite spectacular. 

Another store on 5th Avenue renowned for its decorations is Bergdorf Goodman. Each window is color-themed but with so much detail that every visitor is likely to find something different that catches the eye. 

Outside the Plaza Hotel, the Pulitzer Fountain has been turned into an icescape featuring penguins, sea lions, and polar bears. 

Turning towards Lexington Avenue, Bloomingdales stands out with its green and red windows on the upper floors.

At street level, the windows are a profusion of color, representing what Bloomingdales describes as a 'Give Happy' theme. 

As an avid knitter, I was rather taken by this cozy window. 

Walking south down Lexington Avenue, New York proves to be a city of lights even without Christmas decorations. A sliver of a crescent moon was visible above the Chrysler Building. 

Outside Grand Central, the recently completed pedestrian plaza looks elegant with its silver lights. The last time I was in the city this area was a construction site!

Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense. Her latest novel in the Detective Rigby series "No Stone Unturned" will be released in Spring 2022. 

For more information about her books visit her website, or sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/melparishnews 

Sixty at Sixty - Coney Island Mermaid Parade, NYC

What better way to recognize the beginning of summer than with a mermaid parade? And that's what Coney Island, New York City has been doing for the last 36 years. Despite having lived in New York for twenty years, I'd never heard of the parade until recently, but once I did I couldn't resist going to see what it was all about.

The parade was created by Coney Island USA, a not-for-profit arts organisation, in 1983 and is the largest of its kind in the nation. It is made up of floats, groups and individuals representing mermaids, sea creatures and other themes set by the organizers.

Sixty at Sixty - Step Afrika!

Just after I decided to do my Sixty-at Sixty challenge I saw a listing in the New York Times for a performance of Step Afrika! at Marcus Garvey Park  in the city.  At the time I had never heard of the dance company,  which according to the blurb, "presents its innovative merging of traditional African dance and step in which the performers - dazzlingly nimble and rhythmic - make music with their bodies."  It seemed worth checking out, especially given that one hour before the performance they were giving a technique class appropriate for all ages and levels.

Walking in the City - The Christmas Lights of Mid-town Manhattan, NY

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us once again. This year I'm spending the holidays in England but wanted to fit at least one trip into New York City to see the lights before I leave. Yesterday's relatively mild weather offered the perfect opportunity for an evening stroll.

My first stop was the Lord & Taylor store on 5th Avenue at 39th Street. Famous for its elaborately staged Christmas windows it is a delight for children and adults alike.  This year the store is surrounded by scaffolding, but the designers didn't let that detract, turning the sidewalk into a grotto of lights and greenery.

How to conceal scaffolding.

An Independence Day Walk - Fort Lee Historic Park and the Shore Trail

I hadn't planned on walking on Independence Day, but when I discovered Shorewalkers and AMC were holding a joint walk across the George Washington Bridge to the Long Path via Fort Lee Historic Park it seemed like the perfect activity for the day - history and exercise combined. I obviously wasn't the only one to think that - over sixty people joined the walk, certainly one of the biggest group walks I've ever been on.

Walking in the City - Sheepshead Bay and Rockaway Park Beach, NYC

After my recent trip to Coney Island, I was delighted to find another walk involving beaches in New York City, this time a 12 mile hike organized by the Appalachian Mountain Club, 

from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn to Rockaway Beach in Queens. 

Walking in the City - the Brooklyn Shore Line and Coney Island, New York

The last Saturday of February promised to be a spring-like day, offering the perfect opportunity to get out in the fresh air for some much needed exercise, so I jumped at the chance to join a Shorewalkers walk along the Brooklyn Shore Line to Coney Island. With the exception of a short visit to Coney Island fun fair many years ago, I'd never been to this part of the city before and, to be honest, if I hadn't seen the advertised walk, it's not an area that I would have ever thought of visiting.

Easter Sunday in New York City

Couldn't resist a trip into the city this weekend to see the annual display of Easter finery. Fifth Avenue between 45th and 60th Street is closed on Easter Sunday to allow locals and visitors alike to show off their creations. 

Of course, there are the hats: 

Christmas in New York City

I've been fortunate enough to spend Christmases past in several different countries and they've all been enjoyable experiences, but I think my favorite place for its Christmas spirit will always be New York. For me, New York City is a fabulous place at any time of year, but in December it becomes even more magical.

Walking in the City - The Bowery and Mulberry Street, New York

If I've learned anything from all my walks in Manhattan, it's how big the city actually is. You can walk for several hours and think you've explored a decent sized area, but when you trace it out on a map, you discover you've barely begun to cover it. So it was on Saturday when, inspired by Edward Rutherford's fascinating historical fiction 'New York', my daughter and I decided to explore the area south of East Houston Street which incorporates the Lower East Side, Chinatown and Little Italy.

Bryant Park Reading Room

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how well I think I know an area of Manhattan there always seems to be something new to discover - or at least new-to-me. I've been to Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan many times over the years, but it seems not during the summer months otherwise I surely would have already known about the Reading Room. 

Walking in the City - Gramercy Park, New York

 For my first walk in the city since returning from my Amtrak Adventure, I decided it was time to pay some attention to the streets of Manhattan rather than the Avenues. With that in mind, I decided I would walk from 1st Avenue to 10th Avenue along 23rd Street, come back along 22nd Street to 1st and then continue in this zig-zag pattern until I reached 17th Street and Union Square.  

Walking in the City - Alphabet City

My latest city walk took me to Alphabet City, a place I was not even aware existed until my daughter asked me whether I wanted to spend the day exploring the area. Part of the East Village, it is made up of four avenues, appropriately named A, B, C and D, between First Avenue and East River Drive running from 14th Street in the north to E. Houston Street in the south.  

Walking in New York City - 10th Avenue stroll

Recently I decided I was being rather remiss about getting out and about in my effort to walk all the streets and avenues of New York City, so I headed into Manhattan, this time to check out 10th Avenue. The southern part of the avenue runs from 59th Street (above this it is known as Amsterdam Avenue) down to the West Village and is one of those areas where I usually have little reason to wander so I was intrigued as to what I would find. 




First impressions weren't that great - a street of heavy traffic and rather old and mostly ugly buildings interspersed with construction sites and parking lots.

The views down the cross streets were more attractive - such as this one at 34th Street with a glimpse of the Empire State Building in the distance.

10th Ave & 34 Street


In the 19th century railroad tracks known as the West Side Line ran along 10th Avenue. The mix of freight trains and pedestrians proved to be so dangerous the street was nicknamed Death Avenue and cowboys (The Tenth Avenue Cowboys) were employed to warn people of an approaching train. In 1934 most of  the line was elevated, but eventually fell into disuse and partly demolished in the sixties. In 2006 construction began to convert the remaining line into the High Line, an urban park.


 The first section of the park opened in 2009 and the final section in 2014. As these photos show it can be seen from the street, unfortunately in places the view from the park is not particularly attractive.

The creation of the High Line has spurred a huge amount of development along its length however, including some interestingly shaped buildings. 

At 17th Street the High Line crosses 10th Avenue and a viewing gallery has been created so people can sit and watch the traffic below!  

All in all, not the most attactive avenue to walk, although there were a few bright spots:

and some interesting shops:

But wait, what's this? - a grand piece of 1865 architecture suddenly appears in view. Now the Highline Hotel, it originally was the General Theological Seminary. The hotel web-site provides the following description, 'Just off 10th Avenue, the gated Parisian style courtyard complete with lush gardens demarcated by gas lamps, beckons passers-by to step into a different era.'  Unfortunately, one look out of your window if your room is on the front of the building would soon remind you what era you are in.  

The land, a former apple orchard, was donated by Clement Clark Moore who not only owned most of the area which is now known as Chelsea, but who also happened to pen 'Twas the night before Christmas'. 

Further south on 10th Avenue a small park offers a respite from buildings and construction but, given it's surrounded by major roads, not from the noise of traffic. 

But at least you can get a glimpse of the river!

And finally I'm at the end: The old meat-packing district where some of the buildings are still in original use : 

and others have been converted into international food courts: 

Gansevoort Market

I have to say, this one had some delicious looking options - so I may well have to pay another visit.

All in all, an interesting walk, certainly helped by the wonderful spring weather - warm and sunny, just perfect for walking. And after a long inclement winter, I finally get to put a few more lines on my map!

Easter Sunday in The City - New York City

I have lived just outside of New York City for over seventeen years and enjoyed many a pleasant Sunday in the city parks or on the riverside, but today I discovered that I'd never spent an Easter Sunday in the city.
How could I be so sure?
Because I'd never before witnessed the sight that awaited me as I turned onto 5th Avenue on my way to Central Park. The Avenue between 45th and 60th Street was closed off to traffic allowing crowds unrestricted access to the area to admire and photograph the multitude of Easter bonnets on display.

                                                          From the fun:

                                                                      to the sweet:

The Jane Games

From the stylish:

to the outrageous:

and some who had forgotten the bonnets, but made up for it with their hair:

and outside of Rockerfeller Center, even the Rockettes joined in :

New York is famous for its parades so I shouldn't have been surprised by the idea of an Easter parade but, for me, coming across events like this unexpectedly is part of the joy of living so close to this wonderful city.